Icons in Art

Dates: May 1-31, 2016

The word “icon” means “image,” but since the early centuries of Chrisitianity, the “icon” is normally used to refer to images with a religious content, meaning, and use. In this series of artworks by Skylar Nicholson and Sandra Cassibry, icons are used explore subject matter and medium. Skylar’s body of work focuses on a religious style of iconography that involves contemporary imagery. It symbolizes an international ancestral worship theme. His icons are a modern take of old views – worshiping the people from the past that still currently hold importance in the same aspect that religious figures such as Jesus Christ, Christian Saints, Buddha, and Confucius are held by their followers. The images in his work are centralized around significant people in his life. Glass is the main material that he used to execute his ideas. According to Skylar, “The glass itself is a symbol of fragility. It symbolizes how religion, people and ideas can be forgotten or broken. We use icons to have a visual memory of ideas and memories.” He uses contemporary frames in his art to let the viewer relate the icons to a less formal setting. Sandra’s iconic paintings were inspired by stained glass windows from churches and cathedrals along the Mississippi and Alabama coastline. The transparency of the watercolors, her chosen medium, permits the white reflective surface of paper to shine through.  Similar to stained glass, watercolors have an attractive, airy quality, which is perfect for capturing the illusion of atmosphere, space, and light. The artists’ exhibits will be on display at MAC during the month of May in the Small Room. Meet the artists on ArtWalk night, May 13th, from 6:00 – 9:00 PM. The gallery will be open from 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM on weekdays.